Jr. Legion splits with Dodge City

It was like night and day in the twin bill hosted by the Pratt Junior Legion against visiting Dodge City.In the opener, the Rangers pounded the Jr. 86ers mercilessly, putting up a 9-spot in the 3rd inning as their highlight in an 18-5 four-inning run-rule victory.

It was like night and day in the twin bill hosted by the Pratt Junior Legion against visiting Dodge City.

In the opener, the Rangers pounded the Jr. 86ers mercilessly, putting up a 9-spot in the 3rd inning as their highlight in an 18-5 four-inning run-rule victory.

The nightcap was a different story however, as the 86ers regrouped and laid an 8-0 six-inning run-rule whipping of their own on the visiting Rangers.

Perhaps the Rangers were worn out from racing around the bases so much in the early game with the temperature in triple digits. Or perhaps hurler Jacob Kurz just had their number. Whatever the case, in the nightcap, Kurz only gave up 2 hits in 5 innings of work, facing only two batters over the minimum. Brandon Kelling pitched the 6th inning in equally effective fashion, setting the Rangers down in order.

Meanwhile, the Jr. 86er offense got untracked and put up enough runs to give Pratt the early momentum. In the first inning, Noah Myers doubled, moved up on Hayden Schrag’s single and scored on Kelling’s RBI base knock.

The Jr. 86ers struck for 3 in the second frame. Brett Barnard led off by working a base on balls. He stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Abe Fernandez extended the inning with a walk, Kurz helped his own cause with an RBI double and Myers plated Fernandez and Kurz with a single.

Up 4-0 in the fifth inning, Kurz led the 86ers off with a base rap. A groundout moved Kurz to second base. Hayden Schrag then reached on a fielder’s choice where the fielder failed to record an out, leaving runners at first and third. Kelling walked to load the bases. Devon Evert drew a base on balls to drive in Kurz and Drew Roadhouse followed with an RBI single to score Schrag.

Needing two runs in the bottom of the sixth to invoke the run-rule, the 86ers got them. With one out, Abe Fernandez walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Kurz doubled to put the winning runs in scoring position. After another out, Hayden Schrag put an end to the proceedings by cracking a double pushing Fernandez and Kurz across to stretch the 86er lead to 8-0, a run-rule victory.